As the temperature rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC costs down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Norco and St. Charles Parish?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect simple issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Mayeuxs AC & Heating

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at (985) 764-2426 or contact us online today for additional info.